What to Do If You Find a Rabbit Nest in Your Yard, According to a Wildlife Expert

When the weather starts to warm, you can expect to see plenty of rabbits in your yard. And while it's fun to watch them bounce around, discovering a nest—especially when you're eager to get a jumpstart on spring mowing—can be cause for concern. These tiny shelters are designed to blend almost completely into the landscape, making them easy to disturb by accident. Before you intervene, it’s important to understand how mother rabbits care for their young—and what experts recommend homeowners do next.

If you discover a rabbit nest in your yard, resist the urge to move it right away. Ahead, a wildlife expert explains when to leave the nest alone—and when intervention may be necessary.

Don't Assume the Worst

If the mother isn't around, don't jump into rescue mode. "It doesn't mean the kits have been abandoned," says Peter Gros, wildlife expert and co-host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild.

In fact, her absence often has a purpose. Mother rabbits, particularly cottontails, will strategically stay away from their nest for most of the day. This approach avoids attracting predators. She will typically return only once or twice in a 24-hour period, he says—usually around dawn or dusk to nurse the young.

Take a Peek at a Distance

You can take a careful look at the nest, but approach from a respectful distance. “If the kits are tucked together, appear warm, and are not visibly injured, they are likely fine,” says Gros.

However, if you want some reassurance that the mother is indeed returning, then you can place a few small blades of grass lightly over the nest. Check back the next day. If the grass has been disturbed, then it's a good sign that she has come back to nurse.

Don't Relocate the Nest

Moving the nest won't keep rabbits out of your garden, but it will endanger them. Relocating will make it harder for the mother to find it, which will only endanger the baby bunnies, as they depend on their mother to keep them warm, fed, and camouflaged from predators.

Plus, you should never handle the young—it can cause them injury or stress. “If the nest is in a high movement area, like a yard with children or pets, the best thing to do is to provide simple protection," says Gros.

You don't need any special devices to protect the nest. Instead, you can get creative with items you already have at home. For example, you can place a lightweight barrier over or around the nest, like a laundry basket turned upside down with a small opening.

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Know When to Call a Wildlife Expert

If the kits are clearly injured or the nest has been destroyed, that's when you need to contact a licensed wildlife professional, Gros says. “They have the experience to read the situation carefully and step in only when it truly serves the kits' best chance of survival," he adds.

It's always best to leave that kind of decision-making to an expert rather than stepping in yourself. They can also share how to discourage rabbits from building nests in your yard or garden in the future.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These are some mistakes people make when it comes to rabbit nests.

Rescuing the Babies

It's common for people to assume the kits have been abandoned simply because they don't see the mother, says Gros. Others may try to move the nest to a safer spot or attempt to feed the young.

However, all of these actions create more risk. “Wild rabbits have a quiet, effective way of raising their young that has worked for a very long time, and the most helpful thing we can do is respect that process," he says.

Making Repeat Visits

Don't make visiting the nest a regular habit. The babies may be adorable, but you don't want them feeling safe around people, as not everyone will have their best interests at heart. Instead, keep your distance, says Gros.

If you are worried about the rabbits' safety, watch for clear signs of trouble, and if the rabbits are in danger, contact a wildlife expert who can help. “A little patience, a bit of space, and a watchful eye often make all the difference and give kits the opportunity to grow as nature intended," he says.